Zulu loan to be authorized Tuesday, but there may be more to the story

The City Council on Tuesday is expected to authorize a $400,000 loan for the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club from a pool of federal grants designed to boost investment in poor areas. But that may not be the sum total of cash headed from City Hall to the century-old philanthropic and parade organization.

Ted Jackson / The Times-PicayuneNew Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and his wife Seletha celebrate with Zulu King Jimmie Felder after Nagin presented him with a ceremonial check for $800,000 on Feb. 15.

The loan amount is only half of the $800,000 printed on a ceremonial check that Mayor Ray Nagin presented to the club on Lundi Gras. Officials say the money will finance the expansion of Zulu's Broad Street headquarters.

Shortly after Nagin delivered the check, mayoral spokesman James Ross could not say how Zulu would get its money. "It could be a loan, grant or some combination thereof," he said at the time.

Asked last week whether City Hall plans to make good on the total value of Nagin's check, Ross offered this vague response: "There is not yet an executed contract with Zulu, and it will be that document that defines the amount and type of funding."

Ross did not elaborate on when the contract will be signed, and he wouldn't budge on whether it will provide Zulu with more than the proposed loan value. The Times-Picayune has asked to see the contract when it's written.